Monthly Archives: November 2009

It has only taken 19 days for me to be brave enough to quote out a Disney trip. I do want to go to Disney. I want to take the kids to Disney. I’ve had this idea before. Their buy 4 nights, get 3 free promotion calls to me. The last time I priced it seriously, I was pregnant with Bella. And we didn’t go.  We said we’d go when the new baby was 3 or 4. And that is probably when we will go. But for the sake of argument…

Disney sounds exhausting, exciting, overwhelming. And Disney likes to pound it over my head that they are designed for 4 people. 4! And we have 5. But beyond that, keeping up with all 3 kids sounds tiring. So we’d take Grandma and Grandpa with us.

I originally started pricing this trip through Expedia and Southwest Vacations and Midwest. And while they law of 4! is not too strong, they can’t exceed 6. Bother. Disney is not much better, although they have villas. And villas can accommodate 8. Or we could get 2 rooms. I priced it both ways.

I want to stay at a Disney property. I want to stay inside the park. I want the “extra magic hours.” I want the water taxis. I want the park hopper. I want to be immersed. Rob will not be sure that being immersed is a good thing. But once, once we can be immersed.

For the Villa – Disney can’t do air for more than 6. Curses! So I priced out the resort and then got the Air Tran flights directly. (I am a Midwest girl, but Air Tran has a ton of flights to Orlando. And they do Magical Express.)

Disney’s Old Key West Resort
“Retreat to this quaint community where the ambiance of Key West permeates the pastel colors, gingerbread accents and Victorian themes.”

2 Bedroom Villa
“The 2-bedroom, 2-bath Villa has a fully-equipped kitchen, dining area with table and chairs, full-size washer and dryer and balcony or patio. The master bedroom suite includes a king-size bed and bathroom with whirlpool tub. The second bedroom area has 2 queen-size beds and a bathroom. The living area has a queen-size sleeper sofa. Amenities include DVD player, in-room safe, voice mail, high-speed Internet access, data port on phone, hairdryer, iron, ironing board, microwave, refrigerator, coffeemaker and Pack ‘n Play® playard.”

7-Day Magic Your Way Park Hopper Tickets

Magic Your Way Package: vouchers for Planet Hollywood, miniature golf

Total: $4203.98

Flight details
Departing: Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Flight 671 Milwaukee, WI (MKE)   7:35 AM to Orlando, FL (MCO) 11:12 AM
Returning: Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Flight 674 Orlando, FL (MCO) 3:27 PM to Milwaukee, WI (MKE) 5:24 PM

Departing (Coach)
Airfare / passenger     68.84
Taxes / passenger (details)     $14.26
Subtotal / passenger     $83.10
x 1 passenger(s)     $83.10

Returning (Coach)
Airfare / passenger     68.84
Taxes / passenger (details)     $15.76
Subtotal / passenger     $84.60
Total Cost of Flight     $167.70 per person.
x7 = $1173.90

total: $6007.88

Alternately, we could get 2 rooms. I priced out two rooms and flights at the Port Orleans.  The Port Orleans is a moderate resort. It has water taxis, a bonus transportation.

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
Discover the tranquility of this charming waterfront hotel that captures all the mystery and romance of a voyage along the Mississippi.

Water View (riverfront or courtyard pool)
All rooms have 2 double-size beds, table and chairs, vanity area with 2 sinks, a ceiling fan, a privacy curtain between the vanity and room, and a bathroom. Some rooms offer a trundle bed. All rooms are non-smoking. Amenities include in-room wall safe, voice mail, data port, hairdryer, iron, ironing board, mini fridge and coffeemaker.

7-Day Magic Your Way Ticket with Park Hopper®

Magic Your Way Package : Planet Hollywood, mini-golf

AirTran Airways
Milwaukee, WI (MKE) to Orlando, FL (MCO)     Arrive     1/27/2010     7:35 AM to 11:12 AM
Orlando, FL (MCO) to Milwaukee, WI (MKE)     Depart     2/3/2010     4:25 PM to 6:22 PM

Ground Transportation: Magical Express

Total for 2 adults, 2 children: $2,582.12
Total for 2 grandparents, 1 child: $1,892.12
Grand total for 2 rooms: $4,474.24

And that’s DisneyWorld. Will a week be enough? Will we see everything? Will we have fun?  Whee!

I was feeling lazy tonight and wanted to post a simple trip. Something easy. Something not crazy expensive.  HAwaii seemed easy. Who doesn’t want to go to Hawaii. Hawaii was bound to be expensive, but I couldn’t even stomach how expensive. Comb through the airfare sales. Flying to Minneapolis seems like a cop-out. Who flies there? It is only a 6 hour drive.

But it’s on sale.

If I booked this trip. I’d spend the next 2 months fretting about the inevitable snow delay that would ruin it.

Wed, Jan 20 from Milwaukee Midwest Airlines
YX1449 08:45am Milwaukee, WI (MKE) to 10:03am Minneapolis/St Paul, MN (MSP)

Sat, Jan 23 from Minneapolis/St Paul Midwest Airlines
YX1380 01:45pm Minneapolis/St Paul, MN (MSP) 02:52pm Milwaukee, WI (MKE)

Passenger(s)     Adult
Base Fare     $81.86
TAX: U.S. Domestic Percentage – 7.5%     $6.14
Subtotal     $88.00
Passenger Facility Charge     $7.50
Segment Tax     $7.20
U.S. Security Fee     $5.00
Total Per Passenger     $107.70
Number of Passengers     2
Total Fare Amount     $215.40 (for both of us!)

I was drawn to Minneapolis and the Mall of America by an ad for the Sofitel near the mall. And that is a lovely deal. If we were driving, it would be the deal.

Sofitel Minneapolis
5601 West 78TH Street , 55439 BLOOMINGTON,  USA
SUPERIOR ROOM – 1 King size bed
400sqft 37 sqm. 25inch flatscreen TV (isn’t that small?), bathtub with glass screen (oooh), Sofitel MyBed, , internal and external view (what does that mean?)
$80 a night
Total $274.27

But no Mall shuttle. No free breakfast. Hmmm.

And rental cars (Hotwire couldn’t even help) were more expensive than the price difference to go to a hotel closer to the mall, with a shuttle, and free breakfast.

Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Bloomington at Mall of America
2221 Killebrew Drive  Bloomington, MN 55425
Check In:     Wed Jan 20, 2010     Rooms:     1
Check Out:     Sat Jan 23, 2010     Guests:     2 (2 Adults, 0 Children)
“Hot Deals – Two Rm Ste – Free breakfast & HSIA”
ROOM DESCRIPTION:
Two Room Suite Includes: King Bed and Sofa Sleeper
-Free High Speed Internet
-Microwave, Refrigerator
-Complimentary Breakfast
-Hair Dryer, Coffeemaker, Iron and Ironing Board

Room Cost     $357.30 USD
Estimated Taxes and Fees $51.02 USD
Total Estimated Cost $408.32 USD

That might be a really long time to be at the mall, riding up and down the escalators. In January. For a grand total of $623.72 for 3 nights/4 days. For 2. Is it romantic enough? Is it fun enough? A curious problem.

On our long slow drive down to Texas a few years ago, we stopped in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It was  a pretty place. Historic buildings, sweeping vistas, mountains, spas, thermal waters. We shopped. We went on the tour. We drove around. We said we’d come back…without a 3 year old who had no interest in a funny bath.

And we’d fly. Pretty much that road trip soured my taste for the open road.

Friday February 19, 2010
Milwaukee (MKE) Depart 11:05 am
to      Memphis (MEM) Arrive 12:59 pm
557 mi (896 km) Duration: 1hr 54mn
NW Northwest Flight: 4018

Memphis (MEM) Depart 2:35 pm
to      Little Rock (LIT) Arrive 3:32 pm
130 mi (209 km) Duration: 0hr 57mn
NW Northwest Flight: 7233

Mon 22-Feb-10
Little Rock (LIT) Depart 4:45 pm
to      Memphis (MEM) Arrive 5:38 pm
130 mi (209 km) Duration: 0hr 53mn
NW Northwest Flight: 7321

Memphis (MEM) Depart 7:45 pm
to      Milwaukee (MKE) Arrive 9:28 pm
557 mi (896 km) Duration: 1hr 43mn
NW Northwest Flight: 3886

Total distance: 687 mi (1,106 km)
Total duration: 2hr 36mn (4hr 43mn with connections)

Flight price per passenger: $209.90
Total price for this trip: $419.80

And then we could stay at the Arlington Hotel. I didn’t remember any Hot Springs hotels by name, but when I saw the picture, I went, Oh, yeah. That’s the big one. Certainly worth a trip.

Arlington Resort and Spa
239 Central Avenue Dot
Hot Springs, AR 71902 Dot 800-643-1502
Check-in:     Fri, Feb. 19, 2010         1 Room(s), 2 Adult(s), 0 Children
Check-out:     Mon, Feb. 22, 2010

NS HISTORIC KING/SHOWER
Internet Rate
Shower only in bathroom (no tub). King bed. Non-smoking room.
USD 95.67

Total: $287.01

They have hotel rooms that have thermal hot springs water running in the bathrooms. As awesome as that sounds, I think we’d just head down for “the Works”  (thermal mineral water bath and 20 minute massage), $60

An Alamo rental Car, via Hotwire:
Lowest total price   $79.12
Unlimited  Miles

For a grand total of $905.93.

And what would be more fun than a getaway to a city we’ve always wanted to go to:

The weather should be warm. At least compared to Milwaukee, where it will be so cold.

Stay in the French Quarter, maybe here:

Le Richelieu in the French Quarter
1234 Chartres Street
New Orleans, LA

King Non-Smoking
Nightly Rate Breakdown
Friday, January 08, 2010         108.00 USD
Saturday, January 09, 2010         108.00 USD
Sunday, January 10, 2010         89.33 USD
Total Rate per Room             305.33 USD
Taxes and Fees             57.81 USD
Total             363.14 USD (prices via frenchquarter.com)

The hotel looks lovely. Free internet and parking.  Parking probably means a car.

Hotwire to the rescue:

Location:       New Orleans, LA (MSY)
Car type:     Mid-size car
Pick-up:     Fri, Jan 8, 4:00PM
Drop-off:     Mon, Jan 11, 11:00AM
Price summary
Car daily rate:     $18.95
Rental days:     3
Subtotal:     $56.85
Tax recovery charges and fees:    $36.83
Total price:     $93.68

Mid-size car
Features: Automatic Transmission, Power Steering, Air Conditioning, Air Bags, AM/FM Stereo
Miles: Unlimited
Seating: 4 adults
Cargo 1 large, 2 small suitcase
Models: Pontiac G6 or similar
Pick-up location: Counter in airport; shuttle to car

For a grand total of: $888.62 for 2.

For that price, we could probably add a tour like a carriage ride, a walking or riverboat tour or even a spooky tour through a cemetery. I’d want to eat beignets. And creole. And gumbo. That’s  lot of eating. I better plan on walking a lot.

On the vein of a little romance, rather than going away, we could stay home. But then there are all of the other people who live here. Eureka – we could send them away!

It hardly seems enough fun to say, hey, stay at a hotel! Fun! We have 2 waterpark hotels relatively near by. How about a night out:

At the Blue Harbor resort in Sheboygan.

“Family Suite with Courtyard View
The Family Suite is equipped with 2 queen beds and a semi-private sleeping area with a full-size sofa-sleeper. This suite includes a private balcony or patio. Also includes wet bar, microwave, refrigerator, coffee maker, hair dryer, pay per view movies, pay Nintendo, and full access to Breaker Bay Indoor Water Park.
Location: Blue Harbor Resort
Room Type: Family Suite, City
Max Occ: 6 people
Total Stay: $159.95 + Taxes and Fees”

A note about hotels and double queen suites. The sofa sleeper is usually set off behind a half wall, according that bed a degree of privacy. But that is the worst bed in the room. As the parent, I would like the best bed and the most privacy. I suppose I could be less cheap and get a bigger suite. But I just don’t get the thinking and planning of the double queen suite. Why a half wall? Why?

We’ve bee to the Blue Harbor before. We could also send them away to the Country Springs in Pewaukee/Waukesha. We’ve never been there. I am not sure of this hotel room will even work. They don’t ahve the privacy half walls…they don’t even mention whether they have sleeper sofas.

Country Springs Hotel
2810 Golf Road, Waukesha

“1 room suite with the sleeping and sitting area connected, 2 double beds, non smoking, wet bar with mini refrigerator, over sized marble bathroom with 2 person whirlpool, also in bathroom there is a TV, radio and telephone, in room coffee maker, hairdryer, iron and ironing board.”

Price: $179 + tax

I wasn’t expecting the Country Springs to cost more. Curious. I wonder what it says about the state of hotels and waterpark hotels and metro areas.

The quick and easy method is the local Baymont Suites:

Baymont Inn & Suites Milwaukee/Grafton
1415 Port Washington Road
Grafton, WI 53024 US

2 Queen room, Non-Smoking
Free Breakfast
Gym/Fitness Center
Free High Speed Internet
Meeting Facilities
Pets Allowed
Pool
Rooms available per room/night from USD 67.20

Of course, the cheapest home alone is to send them to great-grandma’s. For the 1,001 benefits of living with my parents, there are times the 1 house solution has a flaw. Namely there is no second house. But the cost of an occasional hotel, even the Country Springs is a pretty small price to pay.

Rob thought it would be funny if I picked a Motel 6 and a movie as one of my trips. In an exotic locale like Racine.

I could do this, but having listened to the “What’s More Sheboygan?” contest on 102.1 the other morning, I thought Sheboygan would fit too. And then I ruined it by looking at the offerings at the Kohler Arts center. I was going to really ruin it by looking at the Kohler properties. Another time, another luxury.

On Feb 5, from 6:30–9:30 p.m., for $10 each, Copper Box is performing. Copper Box is described as “Accordion Swamp Rock” – “A crowd pleaser! Copper Box blends roots rock, polka, blues, and a spicy dash of Zydeco to create its “squeeze-box rock” style of music.” That actually sounds like a fun time. I think I am making this scaled down trip sound kind of fun.

After all that dancing, we could stay at a LaQuinta.

La Quinta Inn, Sheboygan
2932 Kohler Memorial Drive
Sheboygan, WI 53081

Check-in: 02/05/2010
Check-out: 02/06/2010

Room Type: One King Bed
# of Rooms: 1
# of Adults: 2
# of Children: 0 [the best part?]

Per Night Rate: $49.00
The hotel has Free High-Speed Internet Access and a Free Bright Side Breakfast.

Not to overly push the nice tack, but a nice night.

We went to see Couples Retreat last night. I love Vince Vaughn. I really liked the movie. I laughed loudly in the near-empty theater.  And it made me think I have neglected to look at a romantic weekend for my faux travel plans. Why yes, I did relate to the married with kids couple in the movie.

And while a trip to the exotic and warm sounds fabulous, I was thinking of a shorter, less expensive, closer trip. I had the idea we could drive to the Poconos and started looking there. I am a little iffy on the driving. 13 hours. Yikes.

I liked Cove Haven which is on Lake Wallenpaupack near Lakeville, PA. The resort is all-inclusive.

Cove Haven Resort
Reservation Dates: 2 night stay
Check in: Thu Dec 10 2009
Check out: Sat Dec 12 2009
Guests: 2 Adults
Suite: Harbour Tower
Dec 10:    $260.00
Dec 11:    $290.00
Taxes & Fees:    $141.63
Total Stay:    $691.63 (All-Inclusive)
Promotion: Romance Rescue – $100 Back

The Harbour Tower has the heart-shared whirlpool and round king-sized bed that make the Poconos famous in a lovely kitschy way. But not the champagne glass to fool around in. This particular suite has a glass enclosed shower for 2.

As a fan of Wisconsin Dells and a fan of mountains, I think I will like the Poconos. One of my uncles went there years ago and it seemed the height of romance to my 7 year old mind.

And after a brief airfare search, we could fly into Newark Liberty and drive in – about a 2 hour drive. In winter, in the mountains, I’ll expect longer.

On Continental
1 Adults (age 18 to 64)       $128.00
Additional Taxes/Fees           $19.70
Total Price           $147.70
for 2 $295.40

Flight Details:
Depart: 9:37 a.m. Thu., Dec. 10, 2009 Milwaukee, WI (MKE)     Arrive: 12:44 p.m. Thu., Dec. 10, 2009 New York/Newark, NJ (EWR – Liberty)
Travel Time: 2 hr 7 mn
Flight: CO2580

Depart: 2:50 p.m. Sat., Dec. 12, 2009 New York/Newark, NJ (EWR – Liberty)
Arrive: 4:03 p.m. Sat., Dec. 12, 2009 Milwaukee, WI (MKE)     Travel Time: 2 hr 13 mn
Flight: CO3009

And the car

Car rental via Hotwire.
Location:     Newark, NJ (EWR)
Car type:     Mid-size car
Pick-up:     Thu, Dec 10, 1:00PM
Drop-off:     Sat, Dec 12, 1:00PM
Price summary
Car daily rate:     $25.95
Rental days:     2
Subtotal:     $51.90
Tax recovery charges and fees:      $25.25
Total price:     $77.15

For a grand total of $1064.18 for 3 days of romance. Probably cheaper than a stay at the Edens with M. Marcel.

And the hotel is offering $100 cash when you check in to pay the babysitter. So that’s nice.

I was a bit flummoxed for a travel topic today. I have been looking at some bike trips in wine country but I don’t have the trip right. So I thought – cheap. This should be the cheap trip. And the internet has not failed me. I was open to going anywhere. The internet almost failed me here – it can’t handle that broad of a search. But TravelZoo led me to Spirit Air. Spirit Air led me to Myrtle Beach in spring. And Myrtle Beach looks really lovely. I have to say I’ve been hitting most of my favorite places in my travel search. I haven’t looked widely. And this is an exercise, not my travel plans. But today, I wish I could book this.

Spirit Air – they fly out of O’Hare in Chicago. Usually outside of the purview of my travel plans, but for $38 fares, we’ll drive down. Or train. Or something.

New Flight Itinerary
05/19/2010     NK843 Chicago/O’Hare (ORD) to Myrtle Beach (MYR)     2:30 PM-5:25 PM     Deluxe Leather     735
05/25/2010     NK842 Myrtle Beach (MYR) to Chicago/O’Hare (ORD)     11:00 AM-12:15 PM     Deluxe Leather     754
Number of Passengers:5
Airfare:$380.00

Taxes and Fees:$153.50(what’s this?)
Taxes and Fees
Passenger Civil Security Fee:$25.00
Passenger Facility Fee:$22.50
Passenger Usage Fee:$70.00
Segment Fee:$36.00
Total: $533.50

****A note – if we were going to book this, I might join the Spirit Air club, which advertises even lower fares. Even LOWER.

And then hotel. I am used to finding cheap hotels that get really crappy reviews on Trip Advisor and the other online review sites. And the reviews were great for hotels in our price range.

Breakers Resort Myrtle Beach
Oceanfront at 21st and 27th Ave. N. – Myrtle Beach, SC 29578-0485 – 1-800-952-4507
SeasideResortView 2 RmParlor
$747.02  (I think this rate is with an advanced purchase discount)
Wed: $101.59     Thu: $101.59     Fri: $109.46     Sat: $109.46     Sun: $101.59     Mon: $101.59
* Subtotal $625.28
* Tax $121.74
* Total $747.02

Large two room parlor with 2 Queen Beds, 1 King bed, balcony with resort view. Lots of room for that relaxing getaway!

And a rental car. I assume we would need one. I would have to research this far more in-depth. I am still surprised. I didn’t expect this to turn out so lovely.

Hotwire: Full-size car
Features: Automatic Transmission, Power Steering, Air Conditioning, Air Bags, Anti-Lock Brakes, Cruise Control, AM/FM Stereo
Unlimited Miles
5 adults     2 large, 2 small suitcases
Models: Chevy Impala, Hyundai Sonata, or similar*
Pick-up location Counter and car are in the airport
Total price and additional information
$187.72

For a grand total of $1468.34 for a 6 night / 7 day vacation for 5 people. Wow.

Puerto Rico!

The idea of getting away somewhere warm – beautiful beaches, the ocean, luxury – sounds fabulous in winter. And Puerto Rico appeals to me as a more budget-friendly destination – we haven’t gotten passports (yet).

Via Funjet.

Departure flight – Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Air Tran Airways #489 / #5 Coach | 1 Stop Connecting in Atlanta
05:40 AM (MKE) to 01:57 PM (SJU) Return flight – Sunday, February 07, 2010
Air Tran Airways #8 / #674 Coach | 1 Stop Connecting in Orlando
08:00 AM (SJU) to 05:24 PM (MKE)

Las Casitas Village & Spa, Waldorf Collection – EP
Room # 1- 2 Adults 3 Children
2Bdrm Garden Casita

El Conquistador/Las Casitas Round Trip Transfers
Date and price – February 03 2 Adults $79.00 ea. 2 Children $58.00 ea. = $274.00

Complete Coverage: Cancel Any Reason & Protect Price
Date and price – February 03 2 Adults $89.99 ea. 3 Children $69.99 ea. = $389.95

Are you sure you want to remove this feature? Travel protection can only be added when making your reservation and gives you the following benefits for one low price:
* Cancel ANY time for ANY reason – no questions asked and receive a full refund (minus the cost of the Complete Coverage travel protection)
* Lowest Price Guarantee*
* Hurricane Interruption Coverage*
* Medical expense reimbursement while traveling
* Reimbursement for lost or delayed baggage
* Travel delay reimbursement
* And More!

Flights & Hotel Package Price (includes certain taxes and services) $5,508.69
Options $663.95
Total Price $6,172.64
Price Per Person $1,234.53

El Conquistador sounds absolutely lovely. The Funjet offer books us into the villa resort. Larger rooms, able to accomodate the 5 of us. But $6K? Wow, for a long weekend? Can I even list this on this project? So I decided to check out Costco.

If Costco travel has a flaw, it is the flaw of online travel. And perhaps this sort of things will drive people back to travel agents. While Funjet didn’t flinch at 5 people, Costco laid down and cried. 4 people in 1 room. 5 people cannot be in 1 room. Even if the fifth person is a small 1 year old. So my pricing:

$2718.67 4 people, 1 room

$4494.50 5 people, 2 rooms

That means the baby would add $1775.83 to our vacation. WTF?

Plan B – what fi we take my parents along? So we’d have 7 people and 2 rooms:

$4981.47 7 people, 2 rooms

By this logic,my parents could spend 4 nights in PR for $486.97. Because the baby cost $1700!

The craziness of this aside, I still like the idea of Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico: El Conquistador Resort Package
No Passport Required
Coqui Water Park for the Kids
Full-Service Sp

El Conquistador Resort & Golden Door Spa, The Waldorf Astoria Collection (Deluxe)
Room One Category: Garden-View
Room Two Category: Garden-View
Check In: 01/14/2010 Check Out: 01/18/2010

US Airways    Milwaukee (MKE) to San Juan (SJU)    Connect    Arrive: 01/14/2010 02:44 PM    Economy(E)
San Juan (SJU) to Milwaukee (MKE)    Connect    Depart: 01/18/2010 03:55 PM    Economy(E)
Airport Transfer(s) Included.

Flight:     US 7329
Operated by:    United Airlines
Depart:    Thu, 01/14/2010 06:00 AM     Milwaukee (MKE)
Arrive:    Thu, 01/14/2010 06:50 AM     Chicago (ORD)
Flight Time:    50 mins | Economy(E)
Connection time: 01 hr(s) 15 mins

US Airways     Flight:    US 6299
Operated by:    United Airlines
Depart:    Thu, 01/14/2010 08:05 AM     Chicago (ORD)
Arrive:    Thu, 01/14/2010 02:44 PM     San Juan (SJU)
Flight Time:    04 hr(s) 39 mins | Economy(E)
Total Travel Time: 06 hr(s) 44 mins

And then home:

US Airways     Flight:    US 6120
Depart:    Mon, 01/18/2010 03:55 PM     San Juan (SJU)
Arrive:    Mon, 01/18/2010 07:20 PM     Chicago (ORD)
Flight Time:    05 hr(s) 25 mins | Economy(E)
Connection time: 02 hr(s) 20 mins

US Airways     Flight:    US 7337
Depart:    Mon, 01/18/2010 09:40 PM     Chicago (ORD)
Arrive:    Mon, 01/18/2010 10:26 PM     Milwaukee (MKE)
Flight Time:    46 mins | Economy(E)
Total Travel Time: 08 hr(s) 31 mins

El Conquistador Resort & Golden Door Spa, The Waldorf Astoria Collection Thumbnail
1000 El Conquistador Ave. Fajardo,  Puerto Rico

Room One Category Occupancy: 2 Adults, 2 Children
Included in Package Price    Garden-View     2 Adults, 2 Child

Room Two Category Occupancy: 2 Adults, 1 Children
Included in Package Price    Garden-View     2 Adults, 1 Child
For an Ocean view,   Add $255.69 per room

$4981.47 7 people, 2 rooms

or

$6,172.64, 5 people, 1 suite

Ah New York. I really do want to see you. After my suburban (practically upstate) adventure plan, I looked at a city plan.

It turns out flying to La Guardia is much cheaper than Stewart.

Fri, Jun 25 from Milwaukee
Midwest Airlines
depart: 10:20am Milwaukee, WI (MKE)  arrive: 01:29pm New York, NY (LGA)
YX2015  Non-Stop

Mon, Jun 28 from New York
Midwest Airlines
depart: 11:30am New York, NY (LGA) arrive: 01:00pm Milwaukee, WI (MKE)
YX2004     Non-Stop

Passenger(s)     Adult
Base Fare     $143.26
MKE – LGA
LGA – MKE
TAX: U.S. Domestic Percentage – 7.5%     $10.74
Subtotal     $154.00
Passenger Facility Charge     $7.50
Segment Tax     $7.20
U.S. Security Fee     $5.00
Total Per Passenger     $173.70
Number of Passengers     5
Total Fare Amount     $868.50

The flight seems really reasonable to me. And then when we get to NY, we can crash on a friend’s floor. But I have to wonder if 8 people in a 2 bedroom NYC apartment is wise. So I found an interesting hotel. The Comfort Inn actually puts together 2 rooms to make family suites. And they only charge $300+ a night. That seems fair.

Comfort Inn Chelsea
18 West 25th Street , New York, NY, US, 10010
1 King Bed, 2 Double Beds, Suite,
No Smoking
Adults: 2 Children: 3
from $319.99

2 Hotel Rooms 1 Bathroom Free High-Speed Wireless 27 inch TV Coffee Maker In Room
Estimated Total:    $959.97

That puts a weekend in NY at: $1828.47. Or only $868.50 if airfare were our main cost.

I am assuming we’d take cabs and public transportation, so no rental car.

I am not sure how far out we would need to stay to make the hotel price go down. And then how much time we’d spend on the train going to the city.